There are all sorts of interesting storylines keys to watch for, entering Monday’s much-anticipated contest, including the debut of JJ McCarthy and whatever Kevin O’Connell’s version of a “ground and pound” running game will look like.

But of all the places to get insider analysis and expert predictions, local beat writers and content creators remain the unquestioned No. 1 source. After all, they are the media members who hang around the team on a regular basis. Many of them also receive information from sources close to the team that nobody else has access to.

Thus, it is worth wrangling up the picks and predictions of said writers and content creators, in order to get the best feel for how each upcoming Minnesota Vikings game might play out.

To add context, we’ve also included picks and predictions from popular national media outlets, who do not follow the Vikings as closely as those on the local beat. That will allow you to compare and contrast how local media views the MN Vikings vs those in the national space.

Week 1 Minnesota Vikings local beat writer & media predictions

• Ben Goessling (Star Tribune) – Vikings 17, Bears 13

As much as Monday night is about McCarthy’s debut on national TV, it’s also a checkpoint for Williams…Expect the Vikings to come after Williams throughout the night. If they can keep him from repeating the escape acts he staged at Soldier Field last year, they should extend their winning streak in the stadium, their house of horrors for much of the century, to a once-unthinkable six games. — Star Tribune

• Dane Mizutani (Pioneer Press) – Vikings 20, Bears 17

JJ McCarthy grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, roughly 30 minutes from Soldier Field. He will do just enough to win his highly anticipated NFL debut against the team he grew up cheering for. — Pioneer Press (physical paper only)

Related: Vikings vs Bears Preview + Game Day Cheat Sheet

• John Shipley (Pioneer Press) – Vikings 21, Bears 19

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has a year under his belt, but if J.J. McCarthy is the guy Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah insist he is, the Vikings’ overall depth will be enough to win their opener. — Pioneer Press (physical paper only)

• Matthew Coller (Purple Insider) – Vikings 24, Bears 17

I’ll go Vikings, something in the 24-17 ballpark. With both QBs having a ton of pressure on them and neither team really knowing what the other is going to do schematically, I’m thinking that the better roster is going to win out. — Purple Insider

Monday Night Football – Vikings vs Bears national predictions

• ESPN – 6 of 11 experts pick Vikings
  • Sonia Bell – Vikings
  • Mike Clay – Bears
  • Jeremy Fowler – Vikings
  • Dan Graziano – Vikings
  • Kalyn Kahler – Vikings
  • Matt Bowen – Bears
  • Pamela Maldonado – Bears
  • Eric Moody – Bears
  • Seth Walder – Bears
  • Seth Wickersham – Vikings

Williams finally has a real offense with which to work. Johnson’s system brings heavy play-action, and protection upgrades with Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson will give Williams time to operate and attack downfield. With DJ Moore, Odunze, Burden and Loveland, Chicago now has a complete group of pass-catching options capable of stressing Minnesota’s secondary.

Defensively, the Bears’ revamped front should help neutralize the backfield duo of Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason, and force McCarthy into tough throws. At home, facing a quarterback making his NFL regular-season debut, Chicago has the roster, scheme and edge to start 1-0. It just needs to execute. — Pamela Maldonado

Related: It’s Pretty Much a Contract Year for One Key Vikings Pass-Catcher

• The Athletic – 3 of 8 experts pick Vikings
  • Joe Buscaglia – Bears
  • Chad Graff – Vikings
  • Larry Holder – Bears
  • Josh Kendall – Vikings
  • Nick Kosmider – Bears
  • Austin Mock – Bears
  • Zack Rosenblatt – Vikings
  • Josiah Turner – Bears

Bears fans can pretend last year never happened. Quarterback Caleb Williams starts fresh with a dramatically improved offensive line, two more pass-catching weapons, and the league’s most celebrated offensive mind calling the shots. For the first time, the franchise appears committed to pushing forward rather than simply making defensible decisions.

Across the field, the Vikings get to deploy J.J. McCarthy after losing his first season to injury. McCarthy has more hype than is perhaps reasonable for a player who still hasn’t seen an NFL game, but those who’ve seen him in action insist the young man can ball. — The Athletic

• MMQB (Sports Illustrated) – 6 of 7 experts pick Vikings
  • Albert Breer – Vikings
  • Conor Orr – Vikings
  • Gilberto Manzano – Vikings
  • Matt Verderami – Vikings
  • John Pluym – Vikings
  • Mitch Goldich – Bears
  • Claire Brennan – Vikings

All that anxiousness locally has only grown heavier over the last few days, while MN Vikings fans watched and waited impatiently for 30 other teams to play out week one of the 2025 NFL regular season.

Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears Cheatsheet

But now we are finally here, just hours away from week 1’s Monday Night Football grand finale in the Windy City between the Vikings and one of three NFC North rivals to the east, the Chicago Bears.

Below is a pregame cheat sheet that includes how to watch/listen to the game, along with up-to-date injuries and uniform numbers for each new Minnesota Vikings player. Below that, we will get into tonight’s key storylines and matchups.

How to watch and/or listen to MNF: Vikings vs Bears

• Kickoff Time: 7:15 PM
• Channel: ESPN, ABC | ESPN2 (Alternate “Manningcast”)
  • PBP: Joe Buck, Analyst: Troy Aikman
• Stream: ESPN App
• Listen: KFAN Radio – 100.3 FM
  • *Stream radio broadcast on iHeartRadio

** For more, visit our Minnesota Vikings game today post, which includes current betting lines, how to watch and more

Vikings vs Bears latest injury updates

The Minnesota Vikings have been dealing with injuries up and down the roster, throughout training camp and the preseason. After sitting out with a hamstring injury for most of the summer, Justin Jefferson was not on any of the Vikings injury reports that came out this week.

Others starters who have been banged up — including Jalen Nailor and Andrew Van Ginkel — all plan to play, asa well. The only starter officially ruled out due to illness/injury is veteran safety Harrison Smith, while left tackle Christian Darrisaw enters the day as “questionable”.

S Harrison Smith (illness) has been downgraded to out and will not travel with the team. pic.twitter.com/ZU92QFc9rk

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 7, 2025

#MINvsCHI final injury report

OUT: Zavier Scott and Elijah Williams

DOUBTFUL: Harrison Smith

QUESTIONABLE: Christian Darrisaw pic.twitter.com/7IbuPOIiDB

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 6, 2025

Harrison Smith tried, but failed to get his body ready for week one, following a weeks-long battle with a mysterious illness that we still know very little about. By all accounts, he’s fine mentally and should be ready to go for week two. Any injury updates throughout the day will be added to this article.

New Minnesota Vikings uniform numbers

MN Vikings uniform number changes for 2025

• WR Myles Price: #4 (was #31)
• CB Dwight McGlothern: #6 (was #29)
• OLB Bo Richter: #98 (was #54)

Vikings vs Bears Top Storylines and Keys to Victory

Before this one kicks off at 7:15 PM, here is a quick preview/review of key matchups, storylines and other items to help Minnesota Vikings fans catch up on anything should know and watch for, heading into this division matchup against the Bears.

The debut of JJ McCarthy

There is no arguing tonight’s top storyline. After sitting out all of 2024 due to a torn meniscus, Minnesota’s No. 10 overall pick from last year’s NFL Draft will finally take his first regular season snap tonight vs the Chicago Bears, the team the grew up cheering for as a kid, just 30 minutes outside Chicago.

McCarthy has looked good during training camp and in the little preseason work he was allowed. Still, people fear the unknown. The Vikings have one of the best overall rosters in the NFL, but until JJ proves he can competently lead them, your belief in the Vikings resides in your blind faith in the redshirt rookie QB.

JJ McCarthy last 5 games played:

•Snapped Vikings’ 10-game preseason losing streak

•Won the natty

•Sent Nick Saban into retirement

•Won B1G title

•Beat Ohio State. Again.

pic.twitter.com/WMYFwOWZNd

— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) August 9, 2025

Related: How JJ McCarthy Saved Himself from Pandemic-Induced Depression

Before you let that MN sports fan anxiety kick in, though, let’s remember that Kevin O’Connell might be the greatest QB coaching mind in the league right now. And he essentially stiff armed three current starting quarterbacks, in favor of McCarthy — Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones and Aaron Rodgers.

So if KOC believes, then we should too… right? Those kinds of questions will finally start to die off tonight, when we get to see our new franchise QB throw the ball, make pre-snap decisions, post-snap reads and finally show the world for himself whether or not he is cut out for this job.

Kevin O’Connell’s “New Look” Offense (with Adam Thielen)

Knowing JJ McCarthy was taking over under center, MN Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has committed very publicly to run the ball more. McCarthy wasn’t a volume passer at Michigan and the Vikings want to bring him along slowly.

To help ensure the historically pass-happy play-caller keeps his ground and pound promise, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah rebuilt Minnesota’s offensive line and traded another starting running back, Jordan Mason, to help tag-team carries with now 30-year-old Aaron Jones.

Vikings RB Jordan Mason pic.twitter.com/s3APE2xYVt

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) July 20, 2025

Related: NFL Insider Officially OUT on Vikings

But as the saying goes, it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Once bodies start flying around on Monday night, does KOC stick to the ground game, or revert back to old habits? And how does JJ McCarthy’s live performance make an impact on playcalling? Tonight, we’ll get some answers to that 2025 question, and much more.

Minnesota would’ve been forced to rely even heavier on the ground attack, had they not pulled off a last-minute trade with the Carolina Panthers at the end of training camp, that brought Adam Thielen back home. With Jordan Addison out serving a three-game suspension, Thielen will lineup opposite Jefferson, as WR2.

There have been whispers that he might be washed and retirement is reportedly right around the corner, as we all wait with baited breath to find out how open a 35-year-old overachiever can still get in KOC’s offense.

Brian Flores vs Ben Johnson

Minnesota Vikings DC Brian Flores is widely considered one of the two or three best defensive coordinators in the NFL. Ben Johnson, after three very successful seasons as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, is in his first year as Chicago Bears head coach.

While in Detroit, Johnson was one of the only offensive play-callers in the NFL who seemed to have Brian Flores’ defense figured out. The Lions scored 30 points on the Vikings in both of their 2023 matchups, then put up 31 in both games last season. Oh, and Minnesota took L’s in all four.

Brian Flores VS. Ben Johnson

I LOVE THE NFL pic.twitter.com/taeNYaJa0p

— Albear (@ChicagoBears_mx) January 6, 2025

To make the matchup scarier, the Vikings enter tonight’s game with just four cornerbacks on the active 53-man roster, only one of which was a starter last season. Can the new-look Minnesota pass rush get home and create enough havoc to make life difficult on Williams? If not, all signs point to a tough day on defense for the Vikings.

To add some fuel onto a fire that doesn’t need any extra, it’s worth noting that there has been very little interest in Brian Flores on the head coaching carousel in recent years, despite his semi-successful head coaching background and smothering defensive schemes.

Related: It’s Pretty Much a Contract Year for One Key Vikings Pass-Catcher

An active lawsuit against the league and past QB coaching drama will do that even to the best coaches. Nonetheless, it has to bother Flores a bit that Ben Johnson was the Bell of last offseason’s head coaching carousel.

Unlike Flores, who got a couple preliminary interviews only, Ben had his choice of just about any head coaching vacancy in the league. Ultimately, he chose the Bears and 2024 No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams. I can’t imagine Flores would love anything more than to show up Johnson with the entire nation and league watching.

But for the Vikings, that hasn’t been the case very often. Picked to finish last in the NFC North by most media outlets and online oddsmakers, Minnesota has surged out to a 7-2 start, and they’ve defeated preseason juggernauts like the 49ers and Texans, plus the division rival Packers (on the road), in the process.

Minnesota Vikings may be flexed into prime time again

As a surprise playoff competitor with a huge fanbase spread across the country, the Vikings are a perfect “flex” candidate in 2024. In fact, they’ve already been “flexed” into prime time once this season, when their week 9 contest vs the Indianapolis Colts was moved from noon, November 3 (CBS), to 7:20 PM (NBC) for Sunday Night Football.

With two months remaining in the season, could we see another upcoming game be flexed? According to Ben Goessling (Star Tribune), the NFL has its eye on the Vikings’ week 13 home game vs the Arizona Cardinals, as a possible flex candidate. As of today, the home matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium is scheduled for noon that Sunday (Dec 1) on FOX.

Where would it move to? The likely landing spot would be Monday Night Football (Dec 2) on ESPN, which is currently scheduled to host (2-7) Browns vs (5-5) Broncos. Goessling notes that and flex scheduling for week 13 would have to be announced by Tuesday, per league rules.

The Vikings’ Dec. 1 game against the Cardinals could be a candidate to move to Monday night as part of the NFL’s flexible scheduling process. The league has flexible scheduling rights for Monday night games after Week 12, and it seems plausible the Browns-Broncos game, a matchup of middling teams currently scheduled for Dec. 2, could be moved to Sunday.

Ben Goessling – Star Tribune

Troy Aikman prematurely spilled the beans last month

Then, Ben points to early October, when MNF color commentator and HOF QB Troy Aikman mentioned, on Barstool’s Pardon My Take Podcast, that ESPN and the NFL were already targeting Cleveland vs Denver (week 13) as a likely flex candidate.

Related: Final Minnesota Vikings Injury Report for Week 11 is Squeaky Clean

“[MNF is] getting good games. There was a time when I don’t know that they could necessarily say that. But, the league has been fantastic, Roger Goodell has been amazing. We’ve had really good schedules, and now, we have flex scheduling. Obviously, that’s what drives viewership and we are lucky the league has supported us the way that they have.”

“There’s a game… we’re at Denver…. it might be Cleveland at Denver, that may end up being a flex, is what it’s kind of looking like, as we talk.”

Troy Aikman – Pardon My Take (October 9)

The Minnesota Vikings were supposed to be an NFC bottom-dweller, but the NFL schedule-makers still gave them two prime time matchups, for 2024. The first was scheduled for Thursday Night Football in week 8 vs the Rams, a game they lost. The other is week 15 vs the Chicago Bears.

Related: Titans Out Two Starters vs Vikings

Another flex, on top of their week 9 flex, would give the Vikings a total of four prime time games this season. As the NFL season gets into its later stages, TV companies that pay billions of dollars to broadcast NFL games want teams playing who will bring in viewers, usually playoff-caliber.

Maybe ESPN knew it was coming because they gave the Mannings the night off over on ESPN but you have to think that, as tonight’s ugliness unfolded, network execs were wishing this one would have been flexed out.

Related: Josh Dobbs is fine but he isn’t Kirk Cousins

But when the dust finally settled, it was Chicago who would up on top 12-10. The Vikings offense finally showed up midway through the 4th quarter but that’s when the defense, which kept them in the game all night, finally gave up the big play… and it came at the worst possible time.

Here are three takeaways from the Vikings loss vs the Bears

1. Strong finish can’t cover for Josh Dobbs poor game

The first half of this game was so brutal it isn’t worth mentioning. Let’s just note that Josh Dobbs threw for less than 50 yards and two interceptions. The problem however, was that Dobbs and the Vikings offense didn’t get any better in the 2nd half.

Dobbs did make some big time throws as the Vikings tried to come back late in the 4th quarter. But you can’t hide a stat line that includes four interceptions.

JOSH DOBBS HAS THROWN HIS 4TH INTERCEPTION OF THE NIGHT….

His LINSANITY run is OVER. pic.twitter.com/83YpQ2pNsD

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 28, 2023

Dobbs finally delivered late, throwing his only touchdown of the game, a 4th quarter strike to TJ Hockenson that put Minnesota up by a point with under 6 minutes left to play. Josh went 4/5 for 65 yards on the drive.

Good guys are on top.@josh_dobbs1 @TheeHOCK8

📺: @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/hlfCKQFcuf

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 28, 2023

But, the lead wouldn’t hold. And when we take a step back and look at tonight from a long-distance viewpoint, it’ll be clear Josh Dobbs did not play well enough and it cost the Minnesota Vikings another victory that was well within their grasp.

2. Minnesota Vikings defense shines again, but…

Brian Flores’ defense, even if it was against an underwhelming Chicago offense, was the only thing that kept the Vikings in this game. That makes it two-straight weeks that side of the ball has been the only real bright spot for the purple.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Logos: From 1960s to Present

Not only did they keep the game close all night but, after the offense finally got them the lead back, the Vikings defense went out and forced their 2nd turnover of the game. This one, the offense capitalized on, as you saw above.

.@NoExcuses_23 and @AnthonyBarr team up for the MASSIVE play.

📺: @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/e4ZIWVHzX7

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 28, 2023

But (I feel like every section of this blog ends with a ‘but’), they gave up that one big play that finally broke the camel’s back, a 36-yard pass to DJ Moore that put the Bears in easy field goal position and allowed them to take a 2-point lead with just 10 seconds left.

BIG PLAY @idjmoore 💫

📺 #CHIvsMIN on ESPN pic.twitter.com/k41JNWdZSs

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 28, 2023

Had the offense been able to muster any steam, prior to that TD drive in the 4th, this contest never would have come down to that final dagger completion. If anyone blames the defense for this loss then you can immediately stop taking advice from them on all important life topics, going forward.

3. Danielle Hunter is going to get paid

There may not be anybody who played tonight that influenced the outcome of the game like Danielle Hunter. It seemed every play the defense made or almost made, Hunter was somewhere nearby the action, if not directly involved.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Defense Rankings 2023 – Week 12

Danielle finished the night with 9 tackles (7 solo), 2 tackles for loss, 2 QB Hits, 1.5 sacks and a huge forced fumble in the 4th quarter. It was one of the more dominant defensive performances I’ve seen out of any Minnesota Vikings since Jared Allen left.

Our ball. #Skol

📺: @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/AnQicaCRxj

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 28, 2023

Danielle Hunter is a free agent this offseason. Whether it’s signed by the Wilfs or not, Hunter is going to be collecting some huge paychecks in 2024.

Cam Bynum and Jordan Addison had their NFL coming out parties and the defense stepped up to force 4 takeaways, which helped hold the Niners’ offense to just 17 points. In a close contest, though, the difference between the two teams was at quarterback.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Defense Rankings 2023 – Week 7

Kirk Cousins was dialed in all game pic.twitter.com/bZeoCDb8yq

— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) October 24, 2023

Kirk Cousins is/was/will be the difference for Vikings

Brock Purdy looked impressive early and he’ll probably be a good quarterback for a long time. But when the big moment came last night, he threw the game to Minnesota’s defense.

Kirk Cousins, on the other hand, looked absolutely elite for 60 minutes. Controversy hit early and often for the Vikings offense vs the Niners, which has happened a lot this season. Just for starters, they were forced to kick two field goals from inside the 20-yard line (one from inside the 5) and Kirk threw an interception on the first drive of the game.

Those are not usually ingredients to a winning strategy. But throughout Monday’s contest, one thing remained constant no matter the situation. When the Minnesota Vikings needed Kirk Cousins to step up, with the lights bright vs arguably the best team in the NFC, he did. Over and over again.

Kirk Cousins on 3rd down vs. the 49ers:

9/12
182 yards
2 TDs
156.3 passer rating

🚀 pic.twitter.com/Q8W4oX6VPV

— PFF MIN Vikings (@PFF_Vikings) October 24, 2023

Early, middle, late and especially in those same big moments, he willed his team to 1st downs and maintained drives at all costs, tossing footballs to whichever eligible receiver was open to catch them and bringing stability that only a handful of teams get from their starting quarterback on a week in week out basis.

The more you watch Kirko play lately, now deep into his mid-30s, the more you realize he is one of the elite quarterbacks currently playing in the NFL. His numbers are near the top of every QB category and, if you watch Vikings games regularly, the eye test vindicates those statistics.

We can argue semantics and discuss how good or not good Cousins has been during his 11.5 seasons in the NFL. If you want to talk about who you’d draft, if picking a QB to start your franchise the next 3, 5 or 10 years, he obviously drops down the list, just based on age. But those debates will forever rage on.

Related: Vikings Have No Plans to Trade Kirk Cousins but Continue to Take Calls on Others

It’s getting harder and harder to argue, however that — up through week 7 in the 2023-24 season — Kirk Cousins is a top-5 quarterback in the NFL right now and he should 100% be one of the favorites for MVP, especially now that his team is back in the playoff race (2nd in the NFC North, 0.5 games back of final NFC wildcard).

The Minnesota Vikings have the hardest part of their schedule behind them and play the division rival Green Bay Packers, in Lambeau Field, this coming Sunday. If Kirk continues to ball out and Minnesota crawls back to .500, the Kirko for MVP hype train is gonna leave the station and never return.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

CAM CALLED GAME

📺: @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/3bU5oPMFPb

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 24, 2023

Minnesota Vikings defense helps save season

You may have thought Minnesota needed to play perfect football, if they were going to beat possibly the best team in the NFC, in front of the entire nation. But the Vikings were far from that on Monday night, starting with yet another turnover on their first drive of the game.

This time, it was via interception that Charvarius Ward wrestled away from Jordan Addison to immediately flip momentum in the Niners favor. But, in what ended up being foreshadowing for what would happen most of the night, the mistake did not come back to bite the Vikings.

On the ensuing San Francisco drive, the defense forced a Christian McCaffrey fumble and the purple proceeded to score the next (and first) 10 points of the game.

Vikings respond with a big play on defense #Skol

📺: #SFvsMIN on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/riDUhbzXkK pic.twitter.com/CGPETnp9SF

— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2023

Touchdowns? Who needs them? The Vikings settled for field goals all night, including multiple from deep territory where the analytics probably said that keeping the offense on the field and going for the 1st down would have been the better option.

Kevin O’Connell’s offense was also forced to kick two field goals from inside the redzone, one from inside the 5-yard line. But again, unlike what we are used to seeing as Vikings fans, the mistakes never really came back to bite them. When needed, the defense made plays, including three interceptions and big stop, after big stop, throughout the contest.

Kirk Cousins balls out

It’s time to stop doubting Kirk Cousins. He proved, yet again on Monday night, that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL right now. With Justin Jefferson watching from the sideline, Kirk Cousins lit the star in Jordan Addison, who finished the contest with 7 catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns. The rookie wide receiver now sits second league-wide in TD receptions (6), behind only Tyreek Hill (7).

JORDAN ADDISON IS UNBELIEVABLE! pic.twitter.com/WQu7fgYk7j

— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) October 24, 2023

Tight end, TJ Hockenson found his hands too, hauling in 11 catches for 86 yards of his own. But, Addison and Hockenson both sat out of this game for about a quarter apiece. When they weren’t available, Kirk found Brandon Powell (4 receptions, 64 yards) or KJ Osborn (5 receptions, 47 yards).

In other words, it didn’t matter who his receivers were. If you were eligible to catch a pass and wearing purple on Monday night at U.S. Bank Stadium, Kirk Cousins was going to find you.

When the dust finally settled and Minnesota walked away with a victory, Cousins finished 35 of 45 (78%) for 378 yards and 2 touchdowns. Some of his throws were ridiculous. Some of his readings and mind games with the defense were next level. But some plays were just downright elite.

Related: Vikings Have No Plans to Trade Kirk Cousins but Continue to Take Calls on Others

Like this one, late in the 4th quarter on 3rd down… where he ducks underneath what looked like a sure sack and arose out of the collapsed pocket with a beautiful, feathery touch pass right into the arms of Jordan Addison for a drive, and possibly game-saving, 1st down.

Kirk calm in the pocket.

📺: #SFvsMIN on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/riDUhbzXkK pic.twitter.com/5UbDPIDJq6

— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2023

We can argue semantics — like what Kirk may or may not have done, in the past; who he once was or was not, both with Washington and since arriving in Minnesota — but… if you are paying attention right now, up through week 8 in the 2023-24 season, one thing should be clear: Kirk Cousins is playing like a top-5 quarterback and he is the most important player to success this year.

Here come the Vikings…

Suddenly, the Minnesota Vikings are 3-4 and charging up the rankings in the NFC North. Kwesi’s trade deadline plans seem to be on hold. As Kevin Garnett kind of once said, anything (seems) possible…

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

A loss at home vs the Niners on Monday night, with the entire football world watching, would almost certainly force GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah into sell mode, especially with the NFL trade deadline looming 9 days later (Oct 31).

Related: Danielle Hunter Trade Value: Can Vikings Land 1st Round Pick for the NFL Sack Leader?

San Francisco 49ers injuries leading up to MNF vs Minnesota Vikings

There’s no doubt that Vikings vs 49ers will be greatly affected by San Francisco injuries; a list that includes three of their best and most important pieces to winning.

Running back – Christian McCaffery (All-Pro), wide receiver – Deebo Samuel (All-Pro) and left tackle – Trent Williams (2x All-Pro) are all on the team’s injury report this week, but we got more clarity on the Niners injury report Sunday.

Neither Deebo nor Trent Williams participated in Niners practice this week and McCaffrey worked off to the side, on his own. On Sunday, Samuel was ruled out, Williams doubtful and McCaffrey questionable, though the latter was expected to play.

On Monday, it was reiterated by both Ian Rapoport (NFL Network) and Adam Schefter (ESPN) that McCaffrey will suit up. The 2x All-Pro left tackle, Trent Williams, however, will join Deebo Samuel on the sidelines without pads on.

From @GMFB: #Eagles QB Jalen Hurts finished the game with a knee brace; #Browns QB Deshaun Watson will start next week; #49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (oblique) is expected to go tonight. pic.twitter.com/ctauiiJ032

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 23, 2023

"Christian McCaffrey is gonna be out there tonight but he didn't take a hit in practice all week long..

Trent Williams isn't gonna play tonight for the 49ers" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/jtq6rCHPe6

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 23, 2023

Deebo Samuel (Shoulder): Out

Deebo Samuel has been dealing with a shoulder injury all season. As a result, he’s had big games some weeks, taken the field as mostly a decoy other weeks, but he’s limped his way through all six Niner games this season.

Trent Williams (Ankle): Out

Related: Minnesota Vikings Defense Rankings 2023 – Week 7

McCaffrey and Williams’ injuries, however, both happened last week vs the Cleveland Browns. Trent Williams, one of the best offensive linemen of the last decade, had his ankle rolled up on early.

He left the game, but returned after having it taped up. It’s been diagnosed as an ankle injury, but not of the high-ankle variety. Williams played through the injury, but was clearly uncomfortable and had it in a boot postgame. Now, he’s been ruled out vs the Vikings.

LT Trent Williams’ right foot is in a walking boot after this one. He said he toughed it out after the injury because he didn’t want to put his team or Jaylon Moore in a tough spot against Myles Garrett.

Nick Wagoner – ESPN

Christian McCaffrey (Ribs/Oblique): Questionable (Probable)

Earlier in the week, it was reported by Matt Maiocco’s (NBC Sports – Bay Area) that the 27-year-old former Stanford phenom‘s status for Monday will come down to pain tolerance. We’ll monitor these 49ers injuries, as this week moves forward, but for now, Minnesota Vikings fans should expect that McCaffrey will be suited up at US Bank Stadium on Monday night.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Kirk Cousins’ winless record on Monday Night Football was well-documented going into (and during) his latest attempt last night in Chicago vs the Bears. This is what networks like ESPN do. They find a narrative they like and they slam it down our throats.

Did Steve Levy need to remind us of Cousins’ MNF record 77 times per quarter last night? No, but ESPN’s graphic designers spent a lot of time on cartoon Kirk Cousins and who wants to talk about anything other than Cousins, Joe Namath or Archie Manning’s winless record on Monday nights? Everybody Nobody, that’s who.

MNF winless Office Space Kirk Cousins is my 4th favorite Kirk Cousins. pic.twitter.com/n612wYsx9U

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) November 18, 2020

Per usual, ESPN provided ZERO context to Kirk’s 0-9 record on Monday Night Football. Letting narratives run wild isn’t just an ESPN problem. All sports networks, radio shows and media outlets took his 0-9 record and blew it into the biggest balloon possible.

The QB is praised when a team wins and he’s the first scolded when they lose. I get that, but football is the ultimate team game. Blaming a singular player on the outcome of a football game is ignorance. But for the fun of it, let’s take a look at (the now 1-9 MNF QB) Kirk Cousins’ MNF numbers BEFORE last night’s win. They must be repulsive, right…?

Perception vs Reality

You can see it everyday if you turn on the news. Stations will take, or even create, narratives that are completely biased and unobjective. It’s the same things when you flip to a sports station. Research can kill narratives sometimes and we wouldn’t want that…

So let’s dive into how bad Kirk Cousins really is on Monday Night football and how much different last night really was.

How much of his MNF struggles can be blamed on forces out of Kirk’s control? I went all the way back to 2014, when Cousins’ made his first MNF start for Washington and ran some numbers on the defenses he’s had to partner with. It’s not pretty

Can Kirk Cousins play defense…?

In the nine Monday night games prior to last night’s win (via pro-football-reference), Washington/Minnesota defenses were surrendering an average of 28.2 points per game. That’s a big primetime hole to climb out of. The Vikings gave up 13 point to the Bears last night. That’s the least amount of points Cousins’ has had to overcome, in his MNF career.

I’m not a Kirk Cousins’ apologist. I wouldn’t even call myself a Kirk supporter… but the attack on his Monday Night record is just silly, when you scratch beyond the surface. No, Kirk Cousins can’t play defense and he can’t control what happens on special teams (which we saw last night. 14 TD’s, 7 INT’s and a 64% completion percentage shouldn’t translate to a 1-9 record.

Don’t be fooled by narratives (even if they come from the outlet you’re currently reading). Cousins, for the most part, has not lived up to his contract. But let’s cut him some slack for his first 9 Monday Night Football games and give him some well-deserved credit for last night’s W.

There, I’m glad I could put an end to this bogus Monday Night football narrative. I’m sure we’ll never hear about it again…….

Stephen Strom | Minnesota Sports Fan

It wasn’t pretty. Hell, at moments it was downright awful. But when the dust settled on Monday Night Football at Soldier Field, the Minnesota Vikings walked away victorious over the Chicago Bears. That’s not something we’ve been able to say over the last two decades.

In more good news, no prominent Vikings players exited the game with a major injury, there isn’t a coach who is expected to lose their job this week and all healthy players are expected to attend practice. What a weird trip to Chicago…

FINAL: Make it three straight wins for the @Vikings! #MINvsCHI #SKOL

(by @Lexus) pic.twitter.com/J75UAixRwo

— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2020

Bears rush defense was even better than advertised.

I can see how the Chicago Bears came into this game with more wins than losses. Their defense, especially vs the run, is even better than was even advertised coming into this game. They bottled up a healthy Dalvin Cook like I haven’t seen any team do this season, holding him to just 96 yards and ZERO touchdowns on 30 carries. That’s a 3.2 yard per carry average, Cook’s worst of 2020.

The Vikings were able to establish the run a little bit in the 4th quarter, when defensive tackle Akiem Hicks left the game with an injury. Before that, there was absolutely nothing available on the ground.

Bears offense just as bad as advertised

I wrote about it on Monday morning. The Chicago Bears offense is absolutely dreadful. Whether it’s been Nick Foles or Mitch Trubisky, the offense has been a disastrous detriment to the great defensive effort this club brings week in and week out.

On Monday night, the Bears offense posted their worst game of the season though. They totalled 149 yards of offense and finally surpassed 100 yards passing (103 total) when the Vikings went into a full prevent defense during the last drive drive of the game. They rushed for 41 yards.

Gary Kubiak and his personnel

I was very impressed with how easily Gary Kubiak integrated 3 WR’s into a system that had been 2 TE heavy all season. Irv Smith Jr wasn’t able to go because of an injury so Kubiak swapped him out with Chad Beebe for most of his passing formations.

I’ve criticized Kubiak for not being flexible enough with his offense so I’m happy to see the Vikings smoothly make that personnel transition today.

Kirk Cousins was Awesome

Say what you want about Kirk Cousins but, in the last three games, he’s been exactly what the Vikings have needed him to be. Tonight, they needed him more than vs Green Bay and Detroit… so he rose to the occasion.

But, he didn’t overdo it. He finished with a solid and efficient 26/34 for 292 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT (that wasn’t his fault). Modesty was important tonight because the offense on the other side of the field was so terrible. Mistakes just weren’t worth the risk.

Still, Kirk stepped up and made some big plays when called upon. These two 3rd down throws stand out and couldn’t have been more big time.

Kirk Cousins finds Adam Thielen to give the Vikings (-3.5) a 7-0 lead.

Thielen was +650 to score the first touchdown @betthepigskin
pic.twitter.com/bAEdoU9huQ

— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) November 17, 2020

Another 100-yard game for the rookie @JJettas2.

His fourth of his young career. #SKOL

?: #MINvsCHI on ESPN
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/mAxh3SSnWm pic.twitter.com/s5OQiLP8bs

— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2020

It’s happening…

The Minnesota Vikings are now 4-5 and within sniffing distance of a .500 record. As we’ve already discussed in-depth, the Vikings’ schedule is probably the softest in the league over the next three games (Cowboys, Panthers, Jaguars).

That doesn’t mean we should breathe easy. As Vikings fans, we know better.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

[/et_pb_code][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.23.1″ width=”32%” module_alignment=”center”][/et_pb_divider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.7″]

CLICK YOUR FAVORITE PLATFORM AND SUBSCRIBE

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/A2DE6625-9EAD-47BD-AC7B-CC059BF8F2A4.png” url=”https://castbox.fm/channel/id2478167″ show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.0.7″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/A73C03A7-01A1-460D-8E44-D1B2C8DDDD1A.png” url=”https://www.iheart.com/podcast/966-vike-spice-53830875/” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.0.9″ hover_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/82D02B0B-FDBE-4469-B26D-CACF824CAD1E.png” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.0.9″ hover_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/apple-podcast-png-podcasts-app-icon-300.png” url=”https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vike-spice/id1491182659?uo=4″ show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.0.9″ hover_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/google-podcasts-logo-7.png” url=”https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3ByZWFrZXIuY29tL3Nob3cvNDE1MTU1NS9lcGlzb2Rlcy9mZWVk” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.0.9″ hover_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.9″]

EPISODE 12 SUMMARY:

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.9″]

Elliott, we thank you! Now the tourist is back and he is sweary af! Lots of questions and we talk about the Vikings, Chargers and the Green shit..

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]